Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

A little boy gives his friend a series of small gifts--a lucky rock, a ring from the gumball machine, and more. But make no mistake: these are NOT Valentines. Or are they?

Why I love it...

This ode to a best friend is full of love, but in the most un-cornball of ways. The specific details the boy shares about his friend, from the color of her best shoelaces to her favorite hiding place, shows how much he's smitten.

Favorite lines...

This is not a valentine,

since those things have

fancy cursive and swoopy spins

on words that sounds like mush.

This one is scraps and rips

and drippy glue that dried funny

and the green marker that was the

only one that worked.

Besides,

the teacher

made us

make these.

Sample illustration...

From This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2017 by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Published by Chronicle Books.

What's the kid-appeal?

Most kids are not huge fans of "words that sound like mush," so this clever and sweet twist on Valentine's Day hits just the right note.

What's the grownup appeal?

This Is Not a Valentine is actually the perfect Valentine's gift for friends and crushes of any age.

Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian, book blogger, and graphic designer. She is the creator of the Design of the Picture Book blog. This is her first picture book. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author and illustrator, and also and art director of children's books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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About Us

What’s The Little Crooked Cottage? Well, it’s home to two children’s book authors -- Anika Denise and Jamie Michalak, librarian Melanie Roy -- and a pig. It’s also the name of a children’s book blog dedicated to celebrating authors, illustrators, and their creations!